How an obsession really motivates innovation in fields that are highly unrelated. The obsession with slim was supposed to be limited to the fashion world largely in dress design and model world.
However, the trend of size zero has not limited itself to that. It has moved beyond to slim Television sets, Slim Mobiles and what not. You find slim Computer cabinets and slim furniture as well.
Slim is the new in thing in terms of aesthetics in many industries now. It is not limited to garments and fitness only, but has moved right in the hearts of people.
Why should the ceramic industry also stay behind in the trend catching up the world so vehemently? Why should one of the biggest construction fashion element remain subdued ignoring such a major need of people? Why should such a publicized issue not become a product from the industry where innovation in design and fresh new looks are in consistent demand?
It should not. The ceramic industry had to someday be bitten by the bug of SLIM.
Well here it is.
The SLIM VITRIFIED TILES are here. They are here for the taking. For decorating homes, for adorning offices, for beautification of showrooms, to embellish malls to garnish marriage and celebration halls.
The SLIM VITRIFIED TILES are here to bring to life vivid imagination of architects, to meet that unique thin wall need of a millennial wife, to cater to the very fussy entrepreneur, to help an interior designer use space more beautifully.
Slim tiles: An Introduction.
Slim vitrified tiles were first introduced in Italy about 8 years ago. Europe is anyway the leader in stylish and aesthetic product roll outs.
The innovations and total radical technology changes have empowered production of vitrified tiles as thin as 4mm. Not to mention these tiles can be as long as 10 ft as well.
The plants manufacturing slim tiles were initially set up in Europe and other developed countries only. India has started investing in this technology since last year.
It is expected that there will be about 10 new plants supplying slim tiles from India. The demand is largely not in India and so domestic supply is almost nil. However, there is a huge demand in European and developed countries where high value construction projects are put up.
The reason for small number of start ups for slim tiles maybe the huge investment of 150 + Cr required for it. Which is quiet high by Indian standards and only a few can venture towards such investments. This investment is due to heavy costs of Machinery needed to manufacture slim tiles accurately and meet global standards of quality.
The press, Digital printing machine and other critical machinery are all of a different format for Slim tile manufacture.
The press is a set up of hydraulic as well as vibrating type. It is of large size to accommodate upto 10 ft of length of tiles. In some cases, a continuous moving table press is also adopted.
The digital printing machine format will also be commensurate to the size of tiles.
The sizes above 6mm are suitable for flooring as well. Thinner sizes can be used on walls only.
He huge length and width make them suitable for high ceiling type rooms where walls can be clad with long tiles without any joints, making the hall look grand and dominating.

The benefits:

• Slim vitrified tiles have the strength advantage of a rectified vitrified tiles with excellent aesthetics of a thin wall tiles.
• They are light weight and hence suitable for indoor walls as well as outdoor cladding.
• Being light in weight, they are also cheaper to transport, handle and rework.
• It has high durability commensurate to that of a vitrified tile.
• Requires much lesser raw material.
• Variable cost of production is low. However, the initial investment is quiet high.
• It also saves on storage space.
• The size can be 5 ft to 10 ft long. This makes it ideal for wall cladding of high constructions like halls and hotels.
• Slim tiles in extreme demand in European Countries.
• Digital Printing for these tiles gives them an aesthetically exceptional look and feel making them the perfect choice for high value constructions.
Limitations
• Requires Huge investments
• Machinery is costly and is imported only.
• No domestic demand in India as yet. Need to set up export capabilities.
• Logistics and application both are specialist job and hence costly to apply as well.
• Overall cost of tiles themselves in high.

We hope slim tiles with increasing supply will become more affordable in Indian environment. However, the huge international demand would still attract more investors to come up and establish Slim Vitrified tiles manufacturing units.